Traditions: Veils

Today's tradition is the wearing of the veil. Did you know that a white dress doesn't symbolize purity... it's actually the veil!?!? 


Here is some history courtesy of WiseGeek :


When marriages were arranged by family members, the newlyweds very rarely were allowed to see one another. Family members exchanging a dowry were afraid that if the Groom didn't like the appearance of the Bride's face, he might refuse to marry her. This is why the Father of the Bride "gave the Bride away" to the Groom at the actual wedding ceremony. Only after lifting her veil just prior to the ceremony did the Groom see the Bride's face for the first time! Early Greek and Roman Brides wore red or yellow veils to represent fire, and to ward off demons.

Bride's wore veils in the Middle Ages often this custom was linked to superstition. The bride’s veil protected the bride from evil curses or spirits. Also superstition exists that it is simply bad luck to for a groom to see a bride before the wedding. In some beliefs, even a bride should not see herself in full costume until the day of the wedding. The bride’s veil is not tried on with the dress, and it is put on at the last possible moment prior to the wedding.

The bride’s veil has also come to represent the woman’s transition from the pure and virginal state to the married state, and many modern and past cultures feel virginity prior to marriage is ideal. The white bridal costume along with the veil symbolizes this virginity. 

Source